Most legal holidays fall on the same
dates every year. Some holidays such as Khmer New Year, Visakhaboja,
Royal Ploughing Ceremony, Prachum Ben and the Water Festival follow
the lunar calendar and move a few days forward or back each year.
Some holidays which are not legal holidays in Cambodia such as
Chinese New Year receive almost as much attention and celebration as
legal holidays.

January 01, International New Year's
Day

January 07, Victory Day over Genocide Day (Liberation Day)

This holiday commemorates the fall of
the Khmer Rouge on January 7, 1979 and honors those lost in the
genocide and who sacrificed in retaking the country. Colorful
ceremonies are held at the Independence Monument (Vimean Ekareach.)

January 31, Meak Bochea Day (Magha Puja Day)

Falling on the day of the full moon of
the third lunar month, Meak Bochea Day commemorates a great meeting
of Buddha and monks in which there were four significant events and
where Buddha gave an oration laying out the principles of his
teachings. Meak Bochea is an important Buddhist holiday though it is
not as conspicuously celebrated as other holidays such as Visaka
Boche later in the year. The pagodas are quite active and colorful
on this day

February 16, Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is not a legal or
official holiday in Cambodia but is widely celebrated anyway,
primarily by those of Chinese and part Chinese descent and ethnic
Vietnamese. 2014 is the Year of the Horse. Red and yellow are the colors of the day
and celebrants decorate the homes and workplaces in tune with the
holiday, preparing a festive displays of offerings including red
pig, drinks, fruits, cigarettes and other treats. Traditional ‘lion
dancers’ can be seen performing at homes and businesses across town
for several days around New Years Day. On the night of New Year’s
Eve people flock to the pagodas to make offerings. Wat Phnom is one
of the busiest and most popular pagodas, especially New Years Eve
midnight.

March 08, International Women's Day

April 14-15-16, Khmer New Year (Chaul Chhnam Thmey)

Along with Ph’chum Benh and the Water
Festival, Khmer New Year is one of the most important and popular
holidays of the year, generating a festive air of parties and visits
to the pagoda. In the weeks leading up to the holiday children and
teens play special holiday games in the streets. Come New Years eve
beautiful offerings of food, drink and incense are set on palm-frawned
tables in front of homes and the New Year enters at an hour
designated by the lunar calendar, not necessarily at midnight. The
New Year is traditionally accompanied by the practice of tossing
water and powder on friends and passers-by, and though the practice
is discouraged in the city, the area around Wat Phnom still sees a
lot of good natured water throwing on New Year.

April 29, Visaka Bochea Day

Often referred to as ‘Buddha's birthday,’ the holiday actually takes
in the birth, enlightenment and passing of Buddha. The faithful
attend pagoda, make offerings and engage in kind and charitable acts
and reverent behavior. A colorful, busy day at the pagodas.

May 01, International Labor Day

May 03, Royal Ploughing Ceremony (Bonn Chroat Preah Nongkoal)

The Royal Ploughing ceremony
marks the beginning of the rainy season and the planting season. In
a ceremony led by the King or other high official, highly adorned
sacred cows plough a sacred furrow and then are led to trays
containing rice, corn, beans and other foods. Agricultural
predictions are made based on the quantity and order in which the
cows eat the food. In the past ceremonies were usually held next to the Royal Palace, in
front of the National Museum.
But in recent years the ceremony has been held at different
provincial locations.

Pchum Ben generates an air of spiritual
reverence and holiday expectation throughout the country. Along with
Khmer New Year and the Water Festival, Pchum Benh is one of the most
important Khmer holidays of the year. It is a holiday to honor and
care for the spirits of ancestors, said to return to earth during
this period. People travel to pagodas to make offerings of food,
incense and money to help ease spirits’ burden. This is a colorful,
photogenic time at the pagodas. All government offices and many
business close for the holiday.

October 15, King Sihanouk Commemoration Day Day to remember
the late King and King Father NORODOM SIHANOUK.

October 23, Paris Peace Agreement on Cambodia

October 29, Coronation Day Anniversary of the coronation of
His Majesty King NORODOM SIHAMONI of Cambodia. The Palace is lighted
at night and always looking its best at this holiday.

November 09, Independence Day Colorful ceremonies held at the
Independence Monument
in the morning. Fireworks on the riverfront in the evening.

November
21-22-23, Water and Moon Festival

Bonn Om Touk, also known as the
Water Festival and the Boat Race Festival, celebrates the reversing
of the current in the Tonle Sap River and marks the beginning of the
fishing season. Traditional long-boat races are held on the Tonle
Sap River centered in front of the Royal Palace. Dozens of colorful
dug-out row boats compete for prizes and honors. Fireworks and a
water-borne parade of lighted barges cap events in the early
evening. People and vendors pack the riverfront parks to watch the
races and the whole area takes on a carnival atmosphere. The best
views are from hotel balconies and the restaurants such as the
FCC
overlooking the river.